Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-05-18
THE INTERSTATE LAW.
The Commission Hearing Arguments
To-Day.

The Interstate Commerce Commission devoted
some time to-day to hearing arguments upon APP
pncat1ons oSINe Queen and Crescent Railway sys-
tenn for permanent suspension Of the fourth
section OF the Interstate law Mr. John c. Gault,
general manager OF the system first addressed the
commission. He described the line OF the Queen
| and Crescent roads, pointing out its general
proximity to the Mississippi River and other water
routes. The system he said had considerable
business which 1t would like to RETAIN and to this
end he hoped to obtain permanent relief from
water competition.
Chairman Cooley inquired at what points they
sought relief.
from this competition wherever it affected the
system he read petition prepared by the officers
VI Inc [oad setting out the effect OF the water
70 demonstrating the justice OF their request to
nave the temporary suspension made permanent.
., ~ was stated In the paper that the practice of
Che steamboat lines has been to make daily such
ateS as may be necessary to enable them to secure
| the traiflc The CHIEF ground for asking relief
ticipate 70 certain extent in this traffic, which
they cannot afford to do If they are required to
reduce an OF their rates in proportion to those
necessary 10 meet water competition.
Chairman Cooley asked IT, In fixing rates any &C
count was taken OF the effect upon the towns, or
we're they hxed simply In the interest of the roads?
something had been said about competition as q
reason why rates should be cut down.
MI Gauit replied that his road had little to do
elAO IdtcS, tudL WAS uOQc ny JQo SOutU-
ern Railway Association He did not wholly APP
prove OF the system that governed the regulation
OF 1nese rates a He believed in fixing rates that
9ozen thriving towns on his road than large city.
HIS road was willing and anxious to give The law
;so ia,r oTa ana only asked to be relieved from
S1Ss1ppf rivers chiefly.
In answer to Commissioner Bragg, the speaker
thatthe system of fixing rates foliowedby theSouth
ern Railway Association, which made every local
statlon competitive point, resulted in very much
by stupidity. To the Chairman, Mr.. Gault said
tnat even II their request was granted his COM
pany ula not propose to make any local rate
through rate.
the chairman inquired If rates were fixed with
aeiIion 10 their effect upon the interest OF partt
GUAR towns. Mr.. Gault, in answer. said that the
management OF the Southern roads had been wise.
Ines INC system OF rates was peculiar to the South.
Wnen the country was in poverty after the war.
the planters had to borrow money to put in their
crops. The larger towns made the loans, and
tlp mat advantage was enabled to control
We Iraue ana acquire the benefits OF low rates.
Ine Cha1rman.-But you think the time has come
when that system should cease?
MI. Gault responded In the Affirmative
Society Notes.
Inc many friends Of Gen. and Mrs E F. Beale
VIII rejoice with them that the delicate operation
tnat was performed upon Mrs. Beales eyes on
Monday was gratifying success. Gen. and Mrs
beale VIII not return here until Saturday.
Gov Green, OF New Jersey, and Mrs.Green are in
the city, and are the guests of Senator and Mrs.
Mcpheisoa, who will give large dinner on Thurs
day In their honor.
MISS Mary Burrows goes to-day to Baltimore, to
De the guest OF Mr.. Jesse Tyson. Mr.. and Mrs.
BurroWs go direct to Newport.
Mrs. Gen. Starring will go away for her summer
! 1aunting early in June, and will make q trip to
Europe In the autumn
Mr. Horace Washington viii sail for Texas on
Saturday, to be absent six months.
Mrs. Myer and the Misses Myer Will sail for Eu-
rope On the 29th Of June.
Mrs. Wallach and her family will probably spend
the summer in Europe.
The ladies OF the National Homeopathic Hospital
neld one OF their successful luncheon parties to-
day at Mrs. POpe's, On 14th street.
Among the Washingtonians booked to spend at
least portion OF the summer at Orkney Springs
are Il. Is. James and family, Fayette Gibson and
| family, Jno. J.. Rae and family, Mrs. Edie, Col
Christmas and Miss Rhode Christmas, o. C. Chal-
mers and family, Miss Rosebud Bradford Mr.. A.
A. LpScOmb, JAS. T. Young and family and Gen.
Jno u. Clarke, ]r., and daughter.
Mrs. Jno. B. Randolph, who has been an invalid
for several months has gone with her children on
visit to Minnesota in hopes OF regainlng her
health.